Stars fire Nieuwendyk, to name Nill as GM

One day after the Dallas Stars failed to make the NHL playoffs for the fifth straight season, the team fired general manager Joe Nieuwendyk on Sunday.

The Stars are set to hire Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill to fill the position, according to reports. The team has scheduled an announcement for Monday.

The Stars' season ended Saturday night with a 3-1 loss at home to the playoff-bound Red Wings. Dallas finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 22-22-4 record and was seven points short of landing a playoff spot.

Nieuwendyk, a Hockey Hall of Fame player who was a member of the Stars' only Stanley Cup champion in 1999, had served as team's GM since May 2009.

"Joe Niewendyk has represented the Dallas Stars extremely well as the club's general manager and has helped put pieces in place that will once again turn this team into a contender," Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said in a statment. "I would like to thank Joe for his contributions to this hockey club and wish him and his family only the best in the future."

"However, I believe it is time to take this organization in a different direction with our intentions set on returning to the elite of the National Hockey League. My commitment to the Dallas Stars is unwavering, and I am confident we have found the right general manager to return us to the pathway of success."

Nill, 55, has worked as Red Wings assistant GM for 15 years and been with the team for 19 years. He's in charge of amateur scouting and the NHL Draft.